If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Some observations from my first hang.

1: Never repack your back pack, you'll always for get to put something important back; Like a Ridge line. Thank goodness I always carry extra rope.
2: Good site selection in the winter was a challenge, especially when there wasn't any leaves on the trees; not every "Widow Maker" was obvious. The Park Ranger found this quite amusing as I went from tree to tree looking for an ideal place to hang.
3: A Harbor Freight 8x10 Tarp is a pain to work with
4: I really need to practice my Prussic Knot (Bad Scout Leader ) But when I got it right, it worked like a charm when adjusting the tension of my tarp.
5: Paulies Island Hammock Straps are heavy and at 11' they are way to long and the wrong choice. Think I'll trim them down and make six footers out of them.
6: When I climbed into my hammock, the Hammock Straps either had a bit of stretch or were just cinching down. I wound up about three inches closer to the ground than I liked. Thank god for whoopie slings - one of the best ideas I've gotten from this site.
6: I need a better Mosquito Net, the mosquitoes in North Jersey are monsters, the four I killed on my legs were almost a 1/2" long. Gonna have to make a bug sock
8: Never setup a hammock with Scouts around, they'll ask if you plan on sharing your hammock.
9: Even with a tarp, in a heavy wet, misty fog, your gonna get wet.
10: The best sleep I ever had, I had this weekend. What in the world have I been doing all these years sleeping in a tent. I've just been schooled - THANKS HAMMOCK FORUM

My first camping hammock, a Hennessy, used a small a-sym tarp. It's a lot easier to set up and it actually works great in all but sideways storms. Bigger tarps with multiple tie outs are more persnickety but have more options, more coverage. I'm currently playing with the Grand Trunk Funky Forest Tarp and I'm really liking it. It has a lot of tie-outs so I can pitch it for winter or summer.

Originally Posted by rich5665

6: I need a better Mosquito Net, the mosquitoes in North Jersey are monsters, the four I killed on my legs were almost a 1/2" long. Gonna have to make a bug sock

A fully-enclosed bug net can be awesome in many cases. I typically use minimal nets like the HUG, but have used bug socks too. The socks, in my opinion, can be a challenge to enter/exit in a timely fashion. The HUG excels in getting in/out. If weight and bulk aren't an issue, I'd check out some of the bigger, commercial nets like the ENO Guardian or the Grand Trunk Mosquito Net. I'm in the middle of testing the Grand Trunk variety and really like it so far, and despite what people say, I'm finding that the white color isn't bad at all. The Grand Trunk net is nice and roomy and I used the base area to store extra gear.

Originally Posted by rich5665

8: Never setup a hammock with Scouts around, they'll ask if you plan on sharing your hammock.

Ha! I hear you! Last year on our 50-miler, the scouts kept asking me to sleep or lounge in my hammock. I guess they discovered that I wasn't crazy after all.

Originally Posted by rich5665

9: Even with a tarp, in a heavy wet, misty fog, your gonna get wet.

True. I remember getting misted a few times in Virginia when a heavy fog rolled in. An over cover or sock can help with that, but then you run into condensation issues. A good DWR treatment on your quilts helps and then some sunshine to help burn off the moisture.

Originally Posted by rich5665

10: The best sleep I ever had, I had this weekend. What in the world have I been doing all these years sleeping in a tent. I've just been schooled - THANKS HAMMOCK FORUM

I'm with you! First time was awesome for me as well -- a real conversion moment. Our troop just finished making hammocks for the troop (with zippered bug nets!) and I can't wait for our first official troop hang. Good luck with spreading the word!

2: Good site selection in the winter was a challenge, especially when there wasn't any leaves on the trees; not every "Widow Maker" was obvious. The Park Ranger found this quite amusing as I went from tree to tree looking for an ideal place to hang.

You know, this is just as important to tent (pardon my language ) campers as well, but this is the only place where it gets mentioned on a regular basis.